Starting Thursday, October 1, municipal election candidates are allowed to put up and display election signs in Toronto. Election signs may be displayed on private property, such as lawns and fences, with the consent of the property owner or occupant.
Signs may also be displayed on public property, such as boulevards or public utility poles on streets and roads. However, signs cannot be:
If more than one sign is displayed at a location, each sign must be at least one metre apart, unless approved by the property owner/occupant when placed on private property, or by the property owner/occupant of the adjoining property when placed on public property.
Election signs cannot be larger than 1.2 square metres in area and higher than two metres above ground level, except on campaign offices, Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) dedicated advertising spaces, street installation dedicated advertising spaces, third party advertising spaces (for example billboards), when displayed indoors and on windows and balconies.
Election signs cannot be illuminated unless on advertising spaces, be attached to trees, obstruct visibility or block sightlines for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists or contain the City’s logo.
The City may remove election signs that conflict with the Signs Bylaw, Article II – Election Signs (www.toronto.ca/legdocs/municode/1184_693.pdf). Prior to Election Day, candidates will be notified by the City and provided information on when and where any confiscated signs can be retrieved. Any signs not retrieved may be recycled, destroyed or disposed of by the City.
All election signs must be removed by October 29 (72 hours after the election). Property owners/occupants and candidates are responsible for removing and disposing of election signs. Election signs should never be placed in recycling. Separated election signs can be brought to all seven Drop-off Depot free of charge for disposal. Locations and hours of operation are available on the City’s Drop-off Depot Locations web page (www.toronto.ca/services-payments/recycling-organics-garbage/drop-off-depots/locations/).
To report election signs that are in conflict with the bylaw, people may contact 311 and submit a service request, including the name of the candidate or the third-party advertiser displaying the election sign, the address or location of the sign, description of specific landmarks if the address of the sign cannot be provided, and the reason for the complaint.
Election advertising may also be displayed:
More information about election sign rules and disposal is available on the City’s Elections Signs web page. (https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/public-notices-bylaws/bylaw-enforcement/election-signs/)
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